How to Paint a House

Painting your home is a big project. With the right tools from Wagner, you will have dramatic new looks in no time. Wagner Paint Sprayers are affordable and deliver professional results. Plus, when you do-it-yourself, you feel enormous pride and satisfaction.

Tools & Materials

Like any project, you will need the right tools and supplies to do the job right the first time. Because the sooner you finish the sooner you can get on with well, anything you want.

Wagner FLEXiO 990 Sprayer

Galvanized Nails or Screws

Scrap Wood or Cardboard

Pressure Washer

Outdoor Broom

Safety Goggles

Wire Brush

Putty Knife

Ladder

Caulk

Wagner PaintEATER

Drop Cloth

Painters Tape

Quality Paint

Quality Primer

Extension cord

Preparation

Preparing and cleaning the surface is one of the most important parts of the painting process. Follow these simple steps to ensure your job looks great and lasts for years to come.

Step 1 - Inspection & Repair

Before prepping the surface, repair or replace any loose or broken boards and gutters. Remove or re-nail any boards that may be loose. If nails or screws are needed, use non-rusting galvanized nails or screws.

Step 2 - Essential Cleaning

Before you begin, you should move anything that’s not attached to your home away from your home. Sweep any loose debris away from your home.

Step 3 - Power Washing

This part of the process is very important. Without power washing your deck, the stain will not apply evenly due to marks, debris or other items obstructing the material from reaching the surface. Once your safety goggles are on, go to the farthest corner and start spraying while moving the 15-degree tip left to right just perpendicular to the decks surface. (You can go as wide as you’d like as long as you are comfortable.)

Maintain the same distance from the tip of the washer to the deck surface throughout the cleaning. Keep a minimum of 12″ when washing the railings so that you do not put a groove or pit your material. By consistently staying with the pattern in the wood, you know where you have started and stopped during the cleaning process.

Step 4 - Remove Old Paint

Wagner PaintEATER

This is a great tool that’s easy to use and delivers professional results every time. It’s gentle on the surface but tough on peeling paint. It creates a smooth edge that assists paint to flow without showing scraping lines. The handy PaintEATER can be used on siding, trim, concrete blocks, masonry and steel.

Pro Tips

Use the PaintEATER to get under the lap of the siding. A scraper will often score an unwanted line.

Use two hands for consistent pressure to avoid over sanding and creating divots in wood. Always wear safety gear when operating – safety glasses, mask and work gloves.

Wagner Heat Gun

For siding restoration, the Wagner Heat Gun can strip all surfaces to bare wood. This process can remove all layers at one time and can save long hours trying to break through multiple layers of primer and paint.

Scraper

Just like the name says, you scrape off the paint board by board. Use a scraper to knock down and soften edges.

NOTE: Before you begin, place drop cloths along the area you are working on and don’t forget to cover nearby plants. This will make clean up much easier.

Step 5 - Preparing The Surface

Preparing and cleaning the surface is one of the most important parts of the painting process. Follow these simple steps to ensure your job looks great and lasts for years to come.

Wipe off any dust from all surfaces.

Using a utility knife, cut the caulk tip ¼” at an angle. Use exterior paintable, latex caulk.

Use your finger or a wet rag to eliminate excessive caulk. Put pressure on the caulked seam to ensure a tight seal and prevent moisture from developing between and behind the siding.

Use spackling compound to fill holes.

Make sure that all caulk is smooth and dry prior to primer and paint application.

Be sure to prime all bare spots to get pro results.

Step 6 - Mask Windows, Cover Plants and Put Down Drop Cloths

This step will help make clean up much easier. Plus it will prevent extra work such as removing paint over-spray on windows.

Use a 1.5″ to 2″ tape, secure around the outer edges of the window.

Secure a 0.35 mil. plastic sheet to the backside of your tape, in order to cover the entire window.

Painting

Step 1 - Check your local weather

Depending on the size of your home and/or how much you want to get done in your window of time, it is highly advised that you check your local forecast before you get started.

Step 2 - Trim bushes and trees

It’s a good idea to trim bushes and branches that touch any part of your home before you start applying paint. Allow a 10-12″ gap between plants, bushes, trees and your home. Plants can hold moisture against siding causing mold and rot. The gap allows air to move freely and allows some working space while painting.

Step 3 - Paint all the trim

We recommend painting all your trim first. That way you prevent ladder marks on the fresh paint.

Step 4 - Set-up sprayer and start practicing

Before starting your painting project, reference the owner’s manual and read all of the warnings. The best way to get familiar with paint spraying is to practice on a large scrap piece of cardboard or plywood. Move your sprayer vertically and horizontally to get a feel for how the spray gun will distribute paint.

In order to spray like a pro, follow these guidelines:

Keep each stroke smooth and at an even speed

Keep the spray gun perpendicular to surface

Do not bend wrist while spraying

When spraying, always trigger the spray gun after spray pass has begun and release trigger before stopping to avoid heavy paint built-up on the surface

Step 5 - Position sprayer and drop cloth

Take one more look around and shake out your drop cloth to remove paint chips or other debris. Place a clean drop cloth below the area you are about to spray. Move drop cloth as you progress along siding. As you move your drop cloth, shake it out each time.

Step 6 - Start spraying

Tint your primer to match the color of your paint so that you can see a large painted area and determine that you are happy with your paint selection. In addition, if your paint were to chip off, the background color would remain the color of the paint. Hold the spray perpendicular to the siding, moving in slow even strokes.

Painting Pro Tip – Overlap each stroke by about 30%. This will ensure a smooth, even finish. It’s important to invest in quality paint – it can extend the life of the paint job and deliver high-quality results. Also, pick up extra paint for touch ups.

Remember: keep the spray gun at right angles to the surface. This means moving your entire arm back and forth rather than just your wrist.

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